Spotprent op de pogingen van Frankrijk om de vredeshandel van Engeland met de Republiek te verhinderen, 1674 1674

This 1674 print, made by an anonymous artist, satirizes French attempts to disrupt peace negotiations between England and the Dutch Republic. At its center, we see King Charles II of England riding a horse, a symbol of power and authority, while Louis XIV of France gestures to prevent the peace. This work reflects a moment of intense political maneuvering, but it also speaks to larger themes of national identity and international relations. How nations see themselves, and how they perform on the world stage. The print offers a glimpse into the gendered and racialized power dynamics of the time, with monarchs embodying masculine ideals of leadership and dominance. What does it mean that we have almost no record of who made the image? How does the artist participate in the political climate? Ultimately, this print serves as a reminder of how art can shape and reflect societal attitudes, capturing the emotional and personal dimensions of historical events through visual storytelling.